Good News from the Bluebell

My understanding is that all bar the viaduct will be open to PTS holders.

 

Sounds good! Thanks Matt

 

http://robert300.fotopic.net/p63230346.html A set of photos showing rapid progress (three hours work!) on 178

 

Well they seem to burning the candle at both ends to get this one done!

 

As this has really turned into a general Bluebell discussion thread, I'll ask here. When/will there be another goods train weekend? I'd love to be able to recreate a photo like this http://train.fotopic.net/p40480128.html

 

If the Bluebell doesn't have another goods weekend you can always come to the MHR on the following Sundays when the Wagons do two round trips from Alresford to Medstead & Four Marks.

5Th & 6th June
4Th July
5th Sept
3rd Oct

 

Because Matt at the slightestproblem they are given a red card being ib thier opinion on a low list of priorities.

Sad really when a small repair would put in back into traffic, now they will be left to rot with major work needed in years to come.

Poor priorities and poor management.

Regards
Chris

 

Thanks for the tip 73129, I'll look into getting down to the MHR on one of those dates. On a Bluebell note, 80151 has been added to the line up for Branch Line.

 

Since 78019 struggled through the tunnel with 4 Mk1's and a Bulleid, on a train that was not heavily loaded , i am not surprised.
78019 and 80151 to double head on the Mk1's ?

 

Well I've been having a think what loco/rake combinations could be in use. I reckon 672 & 178 on the 2 four-wheelers and pre-grouping wagons. 592 on the mets and possibly the obs car. B473 on Maunsells, 42085 on Bulleids perhaps (it would be reasonably accurate) and 78019 & 80151 on Mk1s.

coalwagon: It seems we hit 'post' at the same time, but I agree that some wagons are sidelined for too long when only minor repairs may be needed. I think the priorities are right though.The management? Questionable, but things may change in the coming years with E.G. opening and the Woodpax carriage shed. But let's not start the Bluebell bashing again.

 

It only struggled on the first trip through the tunnel. Sunday it didn't slip once and even managed to get to Kingscote on first valve only, no problem. Issue is that the sanders don't work.

 

Just looking at the Bluebell Railway loco roster and notice that 42085 is not booked to operate at all during its stay in Sussex.
http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/loco_roster.html
Des

 

Oh dear don't say that after all these years of waiting to get the Fairburn down to our railway it's not going to run due to it's poor condition? It was reported that a spring has been changed in the S.P. works as part of the loan agreement so what else has been discovered on the loco that has problems?

 

I think that the thing is, as southern fans we are used to 2 very high quality heritage railways very near to each other. So when we get a 'duff' engine, we are
shocked.

Neither the bluebell or the watercress line will send a loco away with a problem. Whereas other railways with not quite so good facilities may 'use' this to improve the condition
of their loco.

(sorry if this sounds controversial, but it is my honest opinion)

 

Well it's hardly been back at Lakeside for any length of time after a prolonged stay at the Great Central if it is in poor shape it may not be entirely down to the Lakeside.

 

There's been nothing announced on the news section about 42085 not being used yet only that 80151 has been added.

 

If anything could 42085 not double-head with 80151 and let the Std4 do all the work so atleast we could see the Fairburn run at Branch Line w/e, at least that could be something?

 

I think the problem is likely to not allow that. Else the bluebell would be doing ti.

 

I think you have hit the nail on the head. Bluebell is seen as a quality attraction, therefore they are not going to run something that is substandard whatever the risk. Look at Spa Valleys Jinty and Taw Valley both sidelined. It will be a shame but thats life. Must get down to the Park for a pic before it disappears.

 

Yeah agree with the above comments. Will be really disappointed if 42085 never works any services as for me this was the best visting loco the Bluebell managed to get for the 50th year. I know Tornado is a bit special and will be great to see on Bluebell metals but the Fairburn is the "holy grail" of visiting locos and I'm sure loads of us have waited many a year to see it, even thinking that we'd never see it come down to us, and now we've achieved the impossible it seems the loco is in too poor a condition to work - totally gutted!